2022 Kia K5 vs 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2022 Kia K5 was available in five trim levels: LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT, all featuring a turbocharged engine. The LXS and GT-Line trims offered an optional all-wheel-drive system. Base prices ranged from $23,790 to $31,190, excluding the destination charge. The test car, a K5 EX with front-wheel drive, extra-cost paint, the EX Premium option package, and floor mats, had an MSRP of $33,945, including destination. This pricing was attractive compared to the median average transaction price for new vehicles in the U.S.

The K5’s design was striking, with a low, long, and sleek profile that suggested a luxury sports sedan rather than a practical family car. The test car featured Glacial White Pearl paint and an Ash Blue synthetic leather interior with matte-finish fake wood trim and polished metallic accents, giving it an upscale feel. The quality of the K5 was evident in the solid feel of the controls, the secure motion of the steering wheel stalks, and the lack of panel flex within the cabin, making it feel like a bargain-priced but not bargain-sourced vehicle.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, specifically the S 580e with a plug-in hybrid powertrain and 4Matic all-wheel drive, continued the tradition of luxury and sophistication. The exterior featured clean lines, a sculpted front end, high-gloss black trim, 20-inch AMG wheels, and AMG-style bumpers and side skirts. The interior was the real highlight, offering eight different colors of sumptuous leather upholstery and five different trim materials. The test car had Sienna Brown and Black leather, a panoramic sunroof, and superb fit and finish, including ridiculously soft headrests.

The S 580e’s interior was designed for ultimate comfort, with massaging seats, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and armrests. Power sunshades on the rear and side-rear windows, soft-closing doors, and 64-color ambient lighting added to the luxury experience. The Energizing Comfort wellness program combined interior lighting, massage, audio, fragrance, and climate controls to boost mood and spirit, though its effectiveness was subjective. Storage space was ample, but the trunk offered only 8.1 cubic feet of cargo space, less than the standard S-Class’s 12.9 cubes.

The 2022 Kia K5 GT was the performance leader with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. However, it was the most expensive and least efficient version, lacking all-wheel drive. The standard K5 engine was a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, offering linear power delivery and little low-end lag. Drive Mode Select allowed calibration of the powertrain, and Active Sound Control added personality to the car.

During a week of test-driving in Southern California, the 1.6-liter turbo proved well-matched to the K5, providing enough power for merging onto freeways and handling curves. The EPA estimated 31 mpg in combined driving, but the test car returned 29.1 mpg. Road noise was an issue, and the suspension struggled with small road anomalies, but wind noise was minimal. The K5’s visibility was excellent, and the EX Premium package added a surround-view camera system and bumper sensors for easier parking. The K5 EX was capable but not as fun to drive as competitors like the Honda Accord.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S 580e paired a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 28.6-kWh battery and an electric motor, offering 56 miles of all-electric range. Charging the battery at home took about two hours and 20 minutes, costing $8.93 in California. The S 580e could also use DC fast charging at 60 kW. The EPA rated it at 51 MPGe combined, but the test car achieved 53.9 mpg over nearly 400 miles, with 223 miles driven on electric power alone.

The gas engine and electric motor combined for 510 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission, allowing the S 580e to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in about 4.4 seconds. The car excelled in Comfort mode, with a buttery soft air suspension and rear-wheel steering for tight turns. Hybrid mode offered smooth transitions between electric and gas power, and the nine-speed transmission provided seamless gear shifts. Brake regeneration could be adjusted, and a creep function was available for one-pedal driving.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered comfort with dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and rear air conditioning vents. The panoramic glass sunroof added natural light, and the power sunroof shade operated smoothly. Entry and exit were challenging due to the low-slung design, but the front seats were comfortable, and the SynTex synthetic leather was convincing. Rear passengers had ample room, though hard plastic front seatback panels could be a liability.

Controls were logically laid out, blending style with utility. Storage space was generous, with a roomy bin under the center armrest, a smartphone charging slot, a tray forward of the shifter, and hidden trays in the door panel armrests. The K5’s trunk offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable by lowering the 60/40-split folding back seat. However, there was no handle on the inside of the trunk lid, and the Smart Trunk feature automatically released the lid when the key fob was nearby.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was packed with standard features, including massaging, heated, and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and armrests. Power sunshades on the rear and side-rear windows, soft-closing doors, and 64-color ambient lighting added to the luxury experience. The Energizing Comfort wellness program combined interior lighting, massage, audio, fragrance, and climate controls to boost mood and spirit, though its effectiveness was subjective. Storage space was ample, but the trunk offered only 8.1 cubic feet of cargo space, less than the standard S-Class’s 12.9 cubes.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered two infotainment systems. The base system, standard on LX and LXS trims, featured an 8-inch touchscreen with large stereo volume and tuning knobs and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT-Line trim and above had a 10.25-inch touchscreen but lost the tuning knob and required a cable for smartphone integration. This system included satellite radio, Kia Connect subscription services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a navigation system, and Sounds of Nature ambient noise tracks. The Premium package added a 12-speaker Bose audio system and Active Sound Design technology. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was also included, but the voice recognition technology was subpar.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen center display with the latest MBUX infotainment system. The home screen was a large map, with tiles that could be overlaid or displayed on a black background. The system included games for entertainment at charging stations. The natural-language AI assistant was effective, responding to commands and even telling jokes. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, and the native navigation system featured augmented reality for easy navigation. The system also had a stoplight view, wireless charging, USB-C ports, and a Burmester sound system.

The 2022 Kia K5 excelled in driver assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-following assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safe Exit Assist. The EX Premium package added cyclist detection, Junction Turning Assist, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, front and rear parking sensors, automatic rear braking, a surround-view monitoring system, and power rear child locks. The K5 achieved a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star crash-test rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. The hands-on highway driver-assist system used adaptive cruise control and lane-centering. Crosswind Assist kept the car straight in strong winds, and Speed Limit Assist adjusted cruising speed based on traffic signs. The S-Class had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.